Blue Star, Bureau 749 Underground Base, Spirit Material Research Laboratory.
"Keep the tweezers steady!"
"Yes, just 0.1 milligrams, not a single milligram more!"
An elderly researcher with gray hair was wearing a magnifying glass and holding his breath.
The assistant commander used special tweezers to remove almost a fragment from a piece of bluish-gold slag.
The entire laboratory was eerily quiet.
Everyone knew that they were dealing with a "sample" that would be difficult to replicate even with the full resources of the nation.
Waste is an unforgivable crime here.
Academician Wang Zhiwen stood with his hands behind his back.
He paced slowly between the lab benches, his brow furrowed.
His gaze swept over every detail of the operation.
"Comrades, you must remember this: all experiments must have a success rate of over 90% in quantum computer simulations."
"Physical experiments can only be conducted after being jointly approved by three or more senior researchers!"
"Any form of empiricist practice and waste of materials is strictly prohibited!"
Wang Zhiwen said in a heavy tone, "Every piece of material we have is related to the hard work of our compatriots in another world."
There must be absolutely no waste.
Just then, a special communication indicator light in the corner of the laboratory softly lit up.
"Report! Comrade Lu Li's communications have been established; Director Li proceeded to the command center."
Wang Zhiwen perked up and immediately strode towards the command hall.
Inside the hall, Li Yuanchao was already in place.
The jade pendant shone steadily, and Lu Li's voice came through clearly, reporting his encounter with Ye Chenfeng, as well as... the actual test results of the combat armor.
Lu Li described catching a flying sword with his bare hands in Ligue 1.
And when that incredibly powerful psionic ray nearly cost Ye Chenfeng his life.
A suppressed gasp rippled through the hall.
Immediately afterwards, Lu Li transmitted back the recorded combat data and first-person perspective footage.
On the huge main screen, footage recorded by a miniature camera began to play...
The cold glint of the flying sword, the sparks that flew up, the deadly blue light gathering on the arm armor, and the devastating rays...
"My God... this power..."
A weapons expert's voice trembled as he looked at the destructive force parameters displayed after the simulation data of ray penetration.
Wang Zhiwen's cheeks flushed with excitement as he leaned closer to the screen.
"Comrade Xiao Lu, the experimental data you sent over is extremely valuable."
We have already conducted an archive analysis, and we believe we will be able to provide you with an optimization report soon.
The sound traveled back to the cave abode through the jade pendant.
Lu Li responded without saying anything more and took out thirty Spirit Stone.
"Splash!"
The jade pendant flashed with light.
A crisp clanging sound came from the metal platform.
Thirty fist-sized, pale blue crystals, radiating a soft glow and rich Spiritual Power fluctuations, suddenly appeared and piled together.
It instantly attracted everyone's attention.
" Director Li, Elder Wang,"
Lu Li's voice carried a hint of ease, "I just sold a magic armor set. Here's what I got: two hundred Spirit Stone."
"I kept some for myself, and I'll send these home. You can confidently try the Spirit-Testing Stone I sent back earlier."
Looking at that pile of things, which might just be currency in the cultivation Immortal Realm.
But for Blue Star, these Spirit Stone are priceless energy sources and research samples; Wang Zhiwen's hands trembled slightly.
He carefully picked up a piece, feeling the pure energy it contained, and murmured to himself:
"This... this is Spirit Stone..."
"That's great, that's great!"
"With these, many crucial experiments that had been stalled can finally proceed!"
Looking at this group of scientists who were usually serious and rigid, Li Yuanchao was as excited as a child seeing a favorite toy.
A relieved smile appeared on his face as he solemnly addressed the jade pendant:
"Comrade Lu Li, your contributions will be forever remembered by the nation and the people!"
The communication ended, and 749 began his real busy period.
Li Yuanchao immediately convened an emergency meeting.
"Notify all department heads to assemble in Conference Room 1 within five minutes for a top-level emergency meeting!"
Five minutes later.
The atmosphere in meeting room number one was heavy.
Seated around the oval conference table were the heads of the core departments of Bureau 749.
And several national treasure-level scholars who were urgently invited.
Li Yuanchao got straight to the point.
Everyone is aware of the situation.
"Comrade Lu Li returned thirty Spirit Stone, along with the Spirit-Testing Stone he had given us before."
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; we must immediately select the first batch of candidates for the Spirit Root test."
"Resources are limited, there are only ten spots available."
He looked around at the crowd, his voice low.
"This test aims to confirm whether 'cultivation' is possible in our world."
"The selection of personnel must be extremely careful."
The moment the words were spoken, the meeting room erupted into a heated discussion.
"I suggest that you, Director Li, and several other core scientists, including Elder Wang, be given priority for testing!"
The head of the security department spoke first, and his reasons were sound.
"Ensuring the potential of the highest command and scientific research brain is of great significance."
I object!
An academician in the field of life sciences adjusted his glasses.
"According to the information provided by Comrade Lu Li, Spirit Root have a hereditary tendency."
"The descendants of cultivators have a high probability of possessing Spirit Root."
"I suggest... that the primary testing targets should be Comrade Lu Li's immediate family members, his parents and his younger sister Lu Yao."
At this moment, a statistician who had been silent cleared his throat, attracting everyone's attention.
"I'd like to propose a solution from the perspective of probability theory and big data models."
"We should maximize the probability of obtaining effective information with a limited sample size, while also taking strategic needs into account."
He opened his tablet and projected analytical charts:
"I suggest that the first priority be Lu Li's parents and sister, a total of 3 people. The reason is that they have the highest probability of inheritance, are a key control group for verifying the heritability of Spirit Root, and are of special significance."
"Second priority: select 3 elite soldiers. The reasons are: absolute loyalty, top-tier physical abilities, and the possibility of training..."
"To quickly form the initial force to protect the country, it is recommended to select personnel from different branches of the military and regions to increase diversity."
"As for the third priority... my suggestion is to select three local Taoism figures."
This suggestion surprised and puzzled some people.
The statistician explained, "This is not superstition; there are three reasons."
First, Taoism culture has a long history.
"Its theories of internal alchemy and health preservation have ancient legends of cultivation, which may coincide with the operating rules of another world, and there is a possibility of exceptions."
"Secondly, many highly accomplished Daoist masters have long lifespans and possess extraordinary mental cultivation, which in itself may be a manifestation of some kind of 'aptitude'."
"Thirdly... in terms of cultural identity, they are the group closest to the concept of 'cultivating immortality,' and thus possess unique research value."
"Of course, for the last spot... perhaps we could let Director Li give it a try."
This plan takes into account family ties, loyalty, scientific diversity, and cultural exploration, making it particularly comprehensive.
Li Yuanchao pondered for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room, and finally made his decision:
"Okay! Let's proceed with this plan."
"Immediately and secretly arrange for these three groups to be brought to the base under the highest level of security."
"What we are about to conduct may be the first ' Spirit Root Census' to rewrite human history!"